Ruger SR-9 or S&W M&P 9mm?

S&W M&P full size 9mm or Ruger SR-9? I am thinking about a new 9 in the future. I like the looks of the SR-9 but the trigger has been consistently criticized. I have also heard the SR-9 accuracy is "OK".

Would be nice if someone owned both or new someone that owned one and could do a side by side comparison.

With the current $50 rebate and two free magazine offer S&W is running thru Jan 2008 on the M&P, its a tough deal to beat.

--wally.

jon_in_wv

December 20, 2007, 10:46 PM

I can only speak about the M&P 9. I have a compact and my wife has the fullsize. The fullsize is the easiest gun to shoot well that I have every handled. It is soo easy to shoot fast and accurately that it seems like cheating. It fits my hand like a glove and recoil is really slight. I can't find enough positive things to say about it. It would definitely be my first choice as a range, competition, home defense, or duty weapon. I prefer my compact for carry. The grip is a tad long on the fullsize for easy concealment. It is narrow and nicely shaped though.

The only reasons could possibly see to go with the SR9 is that it could be possible slimmer and it has a manual safety where the M&P does not. I normally like a gun with a safety but I haven't felt the need for one on my M&Ps.

Youngster

December 20, 2007, 11:47 PM

M&P by far, the SR9 is a mediocre product IMO.

Neophyte1

December 21, 2007, 11:35 AM

schmeky; the SR9 is getting great to better reviews. Of the problems; only 1 the 'gritty' trigger is constant. It improves after or about 400rds. At RugerForum.com and these folks are tough. SR9 has more than passed a 10,000 test with only minimal needs. It is on my want list. I researched it extensively. Will have one soon.
Ruger backs there products unlike many.:)

Babalouie

December 21, 2007, 12:10 PM

I also absolutely love my M&P. An amazing firearm. I had a trigger job done on it and we shoot it in uspsa...as close to a single action trigger that a striker can be. Kept the trigger weight to ccw levels. Even before the trigger job I liked the weapon.

On the other hand, I held an SR9 and dry fired it the other day and was disgusted by the trigger. Its not the grittiness, which it is, but it is the cheapest, strangest feeling trigger I have every experienced. At times there was no reset to the trigger, it just stayed back. I wouldn't even consider buying it.

laurafan

December 21, 2007, 12:20 PM

I have both. I like them both. I would give the M&P a slight edge. At the last range session the ruger was a bit more accurate, but the M&P has a better trigger, can you can get it without the mag safety (although I have heard it is easy to remove the rugers mag safety. FWIW, they both fit the blade tech holster I bought for the M&P.

Anna's Dad

December 21, 2007, 12:30 PM

I own both. Unfortunately my first range session with the SR9 resulted in poor accuracy followed promptly by the front sight falling off (likely explaining the inaccuracy).

I really don't want this to reflect negatively on Ruger or the SR9 as from what I've read, most people are having no such problems.

Ruger is sending a new sight and says they'll take care of it if I still have problems after installing the new one.

I have owned other Rugers and I have no doubt that the problem will be resolved and that my SR9 will be an excellent gun.

FWIW: This is one of the "first production run" guns so I half expected problems.

I'll post an update once I have everything resolved with the SR9.

possum

December 21, 2007, 06:31 PM

use the search functio there have been severl ruger sr9 threads in the past.

but with that siad i would go with the m&p since the sr9 hasn't been out long and there may be some kiks in the design and such, i normally like to wait for a year or so, after a new design or new weapon comes out.

btw the m&p has great ergos too.

Mulliganpaintdee

December 24, 2007, 10:40 AM

I LOVE my SR9!!! I've only held an M&P and I have to say just on holding the two guns alone, the SR9 fits me like a glove, its very comfortable. My SR9 also shoots like a gem, granted I only put 100 rounds through it so far but without any malfs., and beautiful up-down recoil.

Onmilo

December 24, 2007, 10:49 AM

I am old school so I will still hang on to my Glocks for now but keep an eye on these new pistol designs.
They are the wave of the future.

Want a review of the Ruger and the Smith?
Go here and look in the Archives.
http://www.gunblast.com

FieroCDSP

December 24, 2007, 01:29 PM

THe M&P got good reviews at first also, and the biggest thing, even now, that people notice is the gritty trigger. It clears up after 3-400 rounds, and what's left is a nice feeling trigger. Send it off to Dan Burwell for a trigger job (or do it yourself!!) and it gets even better. My point is that just because the Ruger has a gritty trigger at first, doesn't mean it's crap. The fail to reset that was mentioned above could be caused by any number of things, but it would certainly play into my looking at one.

The ergos on the M&P are top notch. The recoil is light. The whole package is reliable now that the few bugs have been worked out. For a gun that's only 1 1/2 to 2 years old, it's taken on quite a following and has shown itself to be what Smith intended it to be: A new generation of M&P that continues the legacy the original wheel-gun created. Numerous LEOs have switched over to the M&P autos and the M&P15 rifle, and I haven't heard anything of substance in the way of negatives.

Buy the M&P, I doubt you'll regret it.

fastbolt

December 24, 2007, 02:06 PM

I've made it a personal practice to avoid buying any new pistols until they've been out in the hands of ordinary owners/users for at least a year. I prefer that they've been in use by LE for at least a little while, too. Think of it as an acid-test. ;)

I really dislike being a Beta-tester. Been there, don't like it.

I waited on the M&P until I'd had a chance to talk to folks from at least a couple of agencies who had developed some experience with them. I wanted to give it enough time for any early teething problems to be recognized, identified and addressed. I also wanted to take the armorer's class and get a better look at the design. ;)

I've decided that I'm impressed with the design, and can adapt to the trigger.

I've finally decided to order one for myself.

The Ruger is brand new, so it goes on my "I'll get back to you in a year or two ..." list.

Now, I've owned and used Ruger firearms most of my life. They make good quality firearms. Granted, I've had some that required repair, but that's normal for any manufacturer.

DENALI

December 24, 2007, 02:40 PM

I'm sorry but I personally just won't own a Ruger P-series centerfire pistol, particularly the new polymer jobs KP345 and SR-9 as I believe they share several design flaws that make them unattractive to LE, and CO alike. The M&P on the other hand I see as competetive with it's intended target the Glock, I actually like the trigger on the S&W and feel the pistol has been built to last. I especially like the melonite treatment to the stainless slide's.

tydephan

December 24, 2007, 02:46 PM

M&P for me! Actually, four of them.

I handled one of the new SR9s and they are very slim. But I didn't like the size of the thumb safety at all. The trigger had a lot of creep, it seemed.

I'm sold on the M&P series of guns.

Omaha-BeenGlockin

December 24, 2007, 05:16 PM

M&P---no contest---and I usually like Ruger products -- this one is not a red Phoenix---but more like a flaming turkey.

Handled one the other day---price was too high---the trigger was HORRIBLE---and I can see that safety grabbing some skin if you're not carefull racking the slide.

Tom Servo

December 24, 2007, 05:25 PM

I am old school so I will still hang on to my Glocks for now but keep an eye on these new pistol designs.
No..."old school" would be a revolver :)

Of the two, I'd recommend the S&W. It's got the best trigger of any polymer pistol I've fired, and the ergonomics are great.

The SR9 is still too new to judge. As others have said, the trigger is questionable, and the grip is actually too thin for my hands.

Steelharp

December 24, 2007, 06:45 PM

I know nothing, literally... but I have never cared for the "broken trigger" design thing with the S&W. It just doesn't feel good to me.

cookekdjr

December 24, 2007, 11:16 PM

No contest. M&P all the way.
-David

kokapelli

December 25, 2007, 11:24 AM

I was just wondering if any of the people making negative remarks about the SR9 have actually shot one?

I have not touched, nor even seen a SR9 in person, but... My M&P40 is great! I would highly recommend it.

schmeky

December 25, 2007, 06:48 PM

Mtn USPc

I have a CZ-75. I also have an SP-01 on order. I've had Ruger's P-90, P-93, & P-95, didn't care for any of them. I really want to own, and like a Ruger auto (love my Mk II .22, BTW).

Seems S&W got the M&P design very close to right the first time.

TimboKhan

December 25, 2007, 08:55 PM

I handled an SR9 at my local gun shop this weekend, and I really liked it. The biggest complaint I have heard has been about the safety, and sure enough, it wasn't great. Easy to take off, a little awkward to put back on. The guy behind the counter told me that they have sold a few, none have come back, and the customers seem really happy with them. I happen to trust the guy behind the counter, so it wasn't just empty sales talk. With that being said, the MP seemed to have better ergonomics. It wasn't that the SR9 felt bad (it didn't) or was uncomfortable somehow (it wasn't) so much as it was a case that the MP was just a little nice overall, something I attribute to the slightly wider grip. I plan on buying one of the two, and I am leaning towards the SR9 simply because I am a Ruger fan and feel I can trust what they make. Add to that a traditional dislike for Smith autos, and you can see my bias. I would also add that the SR9 is cheaper by quite a bit, although the current deal is pretty good.

I would add that I have shot neither, which is why Glock is still in the running.

mquaack

December 25, 2007, 10:13 PM

Get the M&P and don't look back.

abrink

December 25, 2007, 11:26 PM

I cant say that i shot an Sr - 9 yet either but i recently read an article that said you can put 12,000+ rounds through it without cleaning it and without a single jam of any kind. How's that for reliability. It's a combat pistol so accuracy doesn't have to be perfect. Just so you can hit the other person before he hits you.

The M&P is also a nice pistol. I like both of them (allthough i still can't say i have shot either of them.) I dont think you could go wrong with either one.

Good luck

Black Adder LXX

December 26, 2007, 12:12 AM

I'd go with the M&P. Bud's has them shipped for about $430 right now. $50 rebate and 2 free mags. I love my 9c, and am seriously thinking about the bigger brother...

jon_in_wv

December 29, 2007, 09:08 PM

I tend to shy away from Ruger products. I work for an agency that issued Rugers. The P89/97/and 95s to be exact. I noticed the tended to gall the recoil guide and the metal would shave off and leave filings inside the weapon. The slides also showed spots of rust regularly. They were reliable but for the reasons I mentioned I have never been tempted to own one. The agency switched to Berettas a few years back. The Berettas seem to be more durable than the Rugers we had before.